Topic: Combating the Rise of Xenophobic Violence
Country: Qatar
Delegate Name: Ann Blessman
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Qatar position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Xenophobia is most commonly known as “an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.” Xenophobia has become an increasingly alarming problem all across the world and the State of Qatar realizes that something must be done to combat Xenophobia immediately. Needless to say, Xenophobia has been a large problem across the world for a very long time. Perhaps the first major instance of Xenophobia was in the early 1900’s in Europe during the Holocaust. After that, the Red Scare and the development of the Klu Klux Klan in the United States are a few more examples of Xenophobia across the globe. More specifically, in Qatar, the cause for xenophobic violence has been directed towards the Islamic religion in particular. Qatar believes that educating the younger generations in countries where Xenophobic violence is being practiced will help to end Xenophobia.
Qatar recently participated in the World Conference against Racism, as did all UN nations and various nations worldwide who suffer from the impact of Xenophobia. While Qatar has not made very many actions to combat Xenophobia, this does not mean that actions will not be made in the near future. As Qatar, we believe that education is key in combating Xenophobia. Qatar feels that they are primarily on the receiving end of Xenophobia, meaning that most violent actions are made against the people of Qatar due to the fact that the primary religion in Qatar is Islam. Islam is commonly discriminated against in countries because the citizens are not knowledgeable about the religion of Islam and also because they fear Islamic people. Qatar feels that mainly their people are discriminated against in many larger countries, such as the United States, and all over the world.
Throughout the world, many other countries have developed a fear of Islam due to certain events involving terrorist groups that practice the religion of Islam simply due to a lack of knowledge of the Islamic religion. Qatar would like to educate people all across the world and make sure they understand the Islamic culture and are aware that not all Islam’s are terrorists. If the population becomes more educated, they will not feel the need to act out violently towards Islamic people. Secondly, Qatar would like to point out that there is a charitable foundation call the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is dedicated to peacefully combating Xenophobia. This foundation asks for donations so they can work together to create communities where all races and religions are welcome. Qatar believes that more of these foundations should be established throughout the world to create environments that are Xenophobia-free. All in all, Qatar believes that world is undereducated and that more action needs to be taken to end Xenophobia.
Works Cited:
UN Website: www.un.org
Wikipedia: www.wikepedia.org
The Globe and Mail: www.theblobeandmail.com
New York Times: www.nytimes.com
